Antipsychotic Tied to Dose-Related Weight Gain, Higher Cholesterol
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Increases in use of the antipsychotic risperidone (Risperdal) are associated with small dose-related increases in both weight and blood cholesterol levels, new research suggests. Investigators analyzed 1-year data for more than 400 patients who were taking risperidone and/or its metabolite paliperidone (Invega). Results showed increments of 1 mg of risperidone-equivalent doses were associated with an increase of 0.25% of weight within a year of follow-up.
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@guzmin dose-lowering would not have a beneficial effect on attenuating weight gain or cholesterol increases and could lead to psychiatric decompensation. because dose increments could increase risk for significant weight gain in the first month of treatment — the dose can be increased typically in a range of 1 to 10 grams — and strong dose increments could contribute to metabolic worsening over time, "risperidone minimum effective doses should be preferred